On Saturday, April 30, 2011, Schoolcraft College celebrated its 46th annual Commencement Ceremony at Compuware Arena in Plymouth, MI. Of the 1,711 students eligible to participate (those earning an associate degree or certificate), 470 graduates donned their caps and gowns and invited friends and family to celebrate their accomplishments.

     Todd Goodman, a resident of Northville and President of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for community colleges, presented the Student Reflection for the Class of 2011.

     Dr. Conway, Jeffress made a special announcement that Matthew Cornett, a resident of Wayne, was the recipient of the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Only 60 students of the 785 from throughout the United States who applied were awarded this $30,000 per year scholarship. The scholarship is intended to cover a significant share of the student's educational expenses - including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees - for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor's degree. Cornett is only one of four students from Michigan to be named a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar.

     Stephanie Bergeron, President of Walsh College, was the keynote speaker and also received an Honorary Associate in Arts and Sciences degree. An associate degree is the highest degree a student can earn at Schoolcraft College. It is also the highest honorary degree the college awards to persons who have rendered distinguished service to the college and to the community. Gregory Stempien, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Jeffress presented the award to Bergeron.

     Dr. Rebecca Himm, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2011. Dr. Himm, whose dental practice is in Livonia, graduated in 1999 with an associate degree in science from Schoolcraft College and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.  She went on to Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated magna cum laude. She graduated in the top of her class from the University of
Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, where she was accepted into the Nu Nu Chapter of Omega Kappa Upsilon, the dental national honor society. She credits her strong academic performance to the solid foundation for learning and studying she received at Schoolcraft College.

     In addition to her professional dental career, Dr. Himm is very active in the community including the Give Kids a Smile dental awareness and access program for underserved children. And she remains involved as a member of the Schoolcraft community, taking continuing education classes and even participating in various Schoolcraft theatre productions.

     The general Commencement Ceremony held April 30 is one of several ceremonies celebrating the achievements of Schoolcraft College’s graduates. Last week the Culinary Arts program held their ceremony, along with the Nursing programs annual Pinning Ceremony, which featured the graduation of more than 70 nursing students. On May 4, members of the Police Reserve Officer Training program will graduate at the Radcliff Center in Garden City, followed by the Fire Academy graduation on May 5, and Police Academy graduation,  on May 6. These ceremonies all begin at 7 p.m.

     To see photos from the 2011 Commencement Ceremony, visit http://www.schoolcraft.edu/graduation/commencement-2011.asp